Consumer price inflation for agricultural and rural labourers up in December

The annual rate of inflation based on the consumer price index for agricultural and rural workers (CPI-AL and CPI-RL) increased to 7.99 per cent and 8.01 per cent, respectively, in December 2010 from 7.14 per cent and 6.95 per cent in November 2010. 

Consumer price inflation rate for the two groups stood at 17.21 per cent and 16.99 per cent, respectively, during December 2009.
 
The all-India consumer price index for agricultural and rural labourers (base: 1986-87=100) increased by 11 points each in December 2010 to 581 points for agricultural labourers and 580 points for rural labourers.

The rise in index, however, varied from state to state.

The index for agricultural labourers increased between 2 and 22 points in 19 states and remained stationary in one state. Haryana with 642 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with 486 points stood at the bottom of the index.

In the case of rural labourers, the index recorded increases between 1 and 22 points in 19 states and remained stationary in one state. Here again, Haryana topped the index table with 637 points whereas Himachal Pradesh with the index level of 504 points stood at the bottom.

Consumer price index for agricultural and rural labourers in respect of Gujarat registered the maximum increase of 22 points each mainly due to increase in the prices of bajra atta, groundnut oil, milk, onion, chillies, garlic, vegetables and fruits, bidi, firewood and barbar charges.